Disability and Christian Theology Embodied Limits and Constructive Possibilities

Disability and Christian Theology Embodied Limits and Constructive Possibilities PDF Author: Deborah Beth Creamer
Publisher: Oxford University Press
ISBN: 9780199709076
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 168

Get Book

Book Description
Attention to embodiment and the religious significance of bodies is one of the most significant shifts in contemporary theology. In the midst of this, however, experiences of disability have received little attention. This book explores possibilities for theological engagement with disability, focusing on three primary alternatives: challenging existing theological models to engage with the disabled body, considering possibilities for a disability liberation theology, and exploring new theological options based on an understanding of the unsurprisingness of human limits. The overarching perspective of this book is that limits are an unavoidable aspect of being human, a fact we often seem to forget or deny. Yet not only do all humans experience limits, most of us also experience limits that take the form of disability at some point in our lives; in this way, disability is more "normal" than non-disability. If we take such experiences seriously and refuse to reduce them to mere instances of suffering, we discover insights that are lost when we take a perfect or generic body as our starting point for theological reflections. While possible applications of this insight are vast, this work focuses on two areas of particular interest: theological anthropology and metaphors for God. This project challenges theology to consider the undeniable diversity of human embodiment. It also enriches previous disability work by providing an alternative to the dominant medical and minority models, both of which fail to acknowledge the full diversity of disability experiences. Most notably, this project offers new images and possibilities for theological construction that attend appropriately and creatively to diversity in human embodiment.

Disability and Christian Theology Embodied Limits and Constructive Possibilities

Disability and Christian Theology Embodied Limits and Constructive Possibilities PDF Author: Deborah Beth Creamer
Publisher: Oxford University Press
ISBN: 9780199709076
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 168

Get Book

Book Description
Attention to embodiment and the religious significance of bodies is one of the most significant shifts in contemporary theology. In the midst of this, however, experiences of disability have received little attention. This book explores possibilities for theological engagement with disability, focusing on three primary alternatives: challenging existing theological models to engage with the disabled body, considering possibilities for a disability liberation theology, and exploring new theological options based on an understanding of the unsurprisingness of human limits. The overarching perspective of this book is that limits are an unavoidable aspect of being human, a fact we often seem to forget or deny. Yet not only do all humans experience limits, most of us also experience limits that take the form of disability at some point in our lives; in this way, disability is more "normal" than non-disability. If we take such experiences seriously and refuse to reduce them to mere instances of suffering, we discover insights that are lost when we take a perfect or generic body as our starting point for theological reflections. While possible applications of this insight are vast, this work focuses on two areas of particular interest: theological anthropology and metaphors for God. This project challenges theology to consider the undeniable diversity of human embodiment. It also enriches previous disability work by providing an alternative to the dominant medical and minority models, both of which fail to acknowledge the full diversity of disability experiences. Most notably, this project offers new images and possibilities for theological construction that attend appropriately and creatively to diversity in human embodiment.

Disability in the Christian Tradition

Disability in the Christian Tradition PDF Author: Brian Brock
Publisher: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing
ISBN: 0802866026
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 577

Get Book

Book Description
This title brings together the views of renowned Christian thinkers throughout history. 14 contemporary experts in theology and disability studies guide readers through each era or group of thinkers, offering clear commentary and highlighting important themes.

Disability and Christian Theology Embodied Limits and Constructive Possibilities

Disability and Christian Theology Embodied Limits and Constructive Possibilities PDF Author: Deborah Beth Creamer
Publisher: Oxford University Press
ISBN: 0199887993
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 168

Get Book

Book Description
Attention to embodiment and the religious significance of bodies is one of the most significant shifts in contemporary theology. In the midst of this, however, experiences of disability have received little attention. This book explores possibilities for theological engagement with disability, focusing on three primary alternatives: challenging existing theological models to engage with the disabled body, considering possibilities for a disability liberation theology, and exploring new theological options based on an understanding of the unsurprisingness of human limits. The overarching perspective of this book is that limits are an unavoidable aspect of being human, a fact we often seem to forget or deny. Yet not only do all humans experience limits, most of us also experience limits that take the form of disability at some point in our lives; in this way, disability is more "normal" than non-disability. If we take such experiences seriously and refuse to reduce them to mere instances of suffering, we discover insights that are lost when we take a perfect or generic body as our starting point for theological reflections. While possible applications of this insight are vast, this work focuses on two areas of particular interest: theological anthropology and metaphors for God. This project challenges theology to consider the undeniable diversity of human embodiment. It also enriches previous disability work by providing an alternative to the dominant medical and minority models, both of which fail to acknowledge the full diversity of disability experiences. Most notably, this project offers new images and possibilities for theological construction that attend appropriately and creatively to diversity in human embodiment.

Theology and the Experience of Disability

Theology and the Experience of Disability PDF Author: Andrew Picard
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1317011139
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 313

Get Book

Book Description
The Christian gospel compels humanity to embrace deeper ways of being human together that will overcome false divisions and exclusions in search of flourishing and graced communities. Presenting both short narratives emerging out of theological reflection on experience and analytical essays arising from engagement in scholarly conversations Theology and the Experience of Disability is a conscious attempt to develop theology by and with people with disabilities instead of theology about people with disabilities. A mixture of academic, professional, practical, and/or lived experience is brought to the topic in search of constructive multi-disciplinary proposals for church and society. The result is an interdisciplinary engagement with the constructive possibilities that emerge from a distinctly Christian understanding of disability as lived experience.

Disability, Society and Theology

Disability, Society and Theology PDF Author: Samuel Kabue
Publisher: African Books Collective
ISBN: 9966040064
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 482

Get Book

Book Description
Disability, Society and Theology: Voices from Africa is the result of a workshop which brought together African theologians, persons with disabilities and disability expertise in the Region to prepare resource materials to enrich the disability study process in the context of the Africa region. The book is in six parts and includes contributions from scholars across the continent. The parts are: Disability Theology: Issue to Debate; The Able Disabled and the Disabled Church: The Churchs Response to Disability; Disability and Society; Disability Theology: Some Interfaces; Disability and Caregiving; and Disability in the African Experience.

Disability Studies and Biblical Literature

Disability Studies and Biblical Literature PDF Author: C. Moss
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 1137001208
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 232

Get Book

Book Description
The primary aim of this volume is to synthesize the two fields of disability studies and biblical studies. It illustrates how academic or critical biblical scholarship has shown that many texts involving disability in the Bible is much more nuanced than a casual reading or isolated proof texting may indicate.

Included and Valued

Included and Valued PDF Author: Bridget Hathaway
Publisher: Langham Publishing
ISBN: 1783686146
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 171

Get Book

Book Description
Our ignorance of the truth can wreak terrible havoc in people’s lives and in communities. Without a solid biblical understanding of disability, how can church leaders combat harmful attitudes and beliefs both within the church and the community to which they minister? Without a basic understanding of common disabilities, how can churches equip those with a disability and encourage greater inclusion in church and community life? This comprehensive guide to disability and the church will give theology students, pastors and church leaders the introduction they need to effectively minister in their churches and communities. Focused on the African context, but with lessons and information that are useful in many regions, this book is a valuable resource to help churches and practitioners grow in maturity and effectiveness.

Interpreting Disability

Interpreting Disability PDF Author: Arne Fritzson
Publisher: World Council of Churches
ISBN:
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 104

Get Book

Book Description
Interpreting Disability is an exploration of the relationship between Christian churches and persons with disabilities, drawing on personal stories of the lives of the two authors and other members of the Ecumenical Disability Advocates Network (EDAN). Written for lay readers, the book acknowledges the great challenge of communicating human experience across differences in culture and language, as well as across varying degrees of physical and mental ability. Ultimately, the authors raise the theological question of what it is that all human beings have in common. The authors provided leadership for a consultative process that resulted in adoption of the World Council of Churches' policy statement on disability, "A Church of All and for All". The text of that document, included here, provides a strong argument for full participation and active involvement by people with disabilities in every aspect of the spiritual, social and developmental life of the churches.

Vulnerable Communion

Vulnerable Communion PDF Author: Thomas E. Reynolds
Publisher: Brazos Press
ISBN: 1441202633
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 256

Get Book

Book Description
As parents of a son with disabilities, Thomas E. Reynolds and his wife know what it's like to be misunderstood by a church community. In Vulnerable Communion, Reynolds draws upon that personal experience and a diverse body of literature to empower churches and individuals to foster deeper hospitality toward persons with disabilities. Reynolds argues that the Christian story is one of strength coming from weakness, of wholeness emerging from brokenness, and of power in vulnerability. He offers valuable biblical, theological, and pastoral tools to understand and welcome those with disabilities. Vulnerable Communion will be a useful resource for any student, theologian, church leader, or lay person seeking to discover the power of God revealed through weakness.

Graduate Theological Education and the Human Experience of Disability

Graduate Theological Education and the Human Experience of Disability PDF Author: Robert C Anderson
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1136459677
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 135

Get Book

Book Description
Create pathways in theological education and congregational practice for people with disabilities! Graduate Theological Education and the Human Experience of Disability examines graduate schools of theology and their limited familiarity with the study of disability—and the presence of people with disabilities in particular—on their campuses. Dubbed a “missing note” by one theologian, this text offers critical research and illuminates new pathways for theologia and practice in the community of faith. Reviews of previous literature, theology, and practices illuminate how people with disabilities have historically been marginalized by the religious community. Theologians, people with disabilities, and researchers offer suggestions for incorporating disability studies into theological education and religious life. This text contains firsthand testimony from people with disabilities who are the necessary sources of wisdom for overcoming barriers. By infusing education into existing theological curriculum, seminaries may better prepare their students for leadership and ministry in their congregations. People with disabilities number 18% of the population, yet represent only 5-7% of congregational membership. This book explores aspects of theology and disability such as: the challenges faced by theological schools that desire to improve both theological curriculum and facilities a review of literature that connects theology and disability—from sources such as scripture, history, faith traditions, and social theory the various ideologies that shape the way the human body is understood—redefining “normal” in theological education an overview of critical boundaries that mark the limits and possibilities for theological inquiry about the human experience of disability creative concepts that religious communities may use to better include people with disabilities and their families how the religious community may benefit from the gifts, talents, and leadership of people with disabilities Graduate Theological Education and the Human Experience of Disability contains a reprint of Dr. Harold Wilke’s landmark 1978 article from Theological Education (published by the Association of Theological Schools). Dr. Wilke, born without arms, was the theologian, minister and scholar who first articulated the need to address the human experience of disability in both theological education and congregational life. With extensive biographies and inclusive liturgies, this innovative text is a valuable resource for seminary professors and leaders, clergy, and disability advocates.